not seek to quantify the exact amount of the land acquired by Italian investors, but
rather to highlight the trends, drivers and patterns of investments in agricultural land.
Yet, despite its limitations, the Land Matrix provides, up to date, the most comprehensive public database on LSLAs that is fit for the purpose of this study.
4.3.2 Adoption of CSR Practices by Italian Investors
To enhance the accuracy of the results (see above), we carefully investigated each
deal, searching for additional secondary sources to complement and/or check the
validity of the Land Matrix data. We used corporate sources (e.g. company statements, official declarations, company websites), academic studies and media reports
to collect information about the commitment in (and stategies related to) CSR for all
Italian investors involved in LSLAs in SSA. The analysis of the different SCL
schemes was drawn through the consultation of official sources for each scheme
(e.g. rules of participation, standards, requirements). Data and information about
investor behaviour were first collected in 2014, and then double-checked in
early 2017.
As explained in Sect. 4.2, we assume that by joining a SCL scheme, private
companies essentially ‘adopt’ CSR strategies to ensure and prove the responsibility
of their actions. For the purpose of this chapter, we distinguish among four types of
CSR strategies:
• CSR real: the sustainability strategy is ‘certified’ by a SCL scheme.
• CSR claimed: in the absence of SCL adoption, investors reported being involved
in charitable or philanthropic initiatives in the investment countries
(e.g. participation in small education/development projects for communities).
• No CSR: sustainability and CSR are not declared as core business strategies.
• No CSR info: there is no available information about CSR activities (i.e. primary,
secondary and tertiary sources were not available or reliable).
4.4 Results
4.4.1 Italian Large-Scale Land Acquisitions in Sub-Saharan
Africa
Italian investors have been involved in 26 LSLAs, amounting to almost 1.7 Mha
(as of January 2017) (Table 4.2). The negotiations over these LSLAs have been
mainly concluded through written agreements (92%). Approximatelly 8% were
intended for future projects and further expansion of the acquired land. Among
investor countries, Italy ranks fourth in terms of the number of deals and seventh in
terms of the land size of the deals. The investments reported in Liberia account for
4 Large-Scale Land Acquisitions in Sub-Saharan Africa and Corporate Social. . .
147
rather to highlight the trends, drivers and patterns of investments in agricultural land.
Yet, despite its limitations, the Land Matrix provides, up to date, the most comprehensive public database on LSLAs that is fit for the purpose of this study.
4.3.2 Adoption of CSR Practices by Italian Investors
To enhance the accuracy of the results (see above), we carefully investigated each
deal, searching for additional secondary sources to complement and/or check the
validity of the Land Matrix data. We used corporate sources (e.g. company statements, official declarations, company websites), academic studies and media reports
to collect information about the commitment in (and stategies related to) CSR for all
Italian investors involved in LSLAs in SSA. The analysis of the different SCL
schemes was drawn through the consultation of official sources for each scheme
(e.g. rules of participation, standards, requirements). Data and information about
investor behaviour were first collected in 2014, and then double-checked in
early 2017.
As explained in Sect. 4.2, we assume that by joining a SCL scheme, private
companies essentially ‘adopt’ CSR strategies to ensure and prove the responsibility
of their actions. For the purpose of this chapter, we distinguish among four types of
CSR strategies:
• CSR real: the sustainability strategy is ‘certified’ by a SCL scheme.
• CSR claimed: in the absence of SCL adoption, investors reported being involved
in charitable or philanthropic initiatives in the investment countries
(e.g. participation in small education/development projects for communities).
• No CSR: sustainability and CSR are not declared as core business strategies.
• No CSR info: there is no available information about CSR activities (i.e. primary,
secondary and tertiary sources were not available or reliable).
4.4 Results
4.4.1 Italian Large-Scale Land Acquisitions in Sub-Saharan
Africa
Italian investors have been involved in 26 LSLAs, amounting to almost 1.7 Mha
(as of January 2017) (Table 4.2). The negotiations over these LSLAs have been
mainly concluded through written agreements (92%). Approximatelly 8% were
intended for future projects and further expansion of the acquired land. Among
investor countries, Italy ranks fourth in terms of the number of deals and seventh in
terms of the land size of the deals. The investments reported in Liberia account for
4 Large-Scale Land Acquisitions in Sub-Saharan Africa and Corporate Social. . .
147